Photographic copying apparatus

ABSTRACT

A photographic copying apparatus wherein the shutter blade is moved to open position by the frames of color filters whenever a filter pivots in a direction to move out of registry with the light-admitting opening. The filters are pivoted by rotary electromagnets which are deenergized when the respective filters extend across the path of incoming light. The shutter blade is biased to closed position and is pivotable about the common axis of the filters.

O5-O9-7Z XR 396619-458 united mates Patent [151 3,661,458 Noemer et al.1 May 9, 1972 [s41 PHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING [56] References Cited APPARATUSUNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventors: Ewald Fred Noemer, Dumont, N..l.;Franz J. Kau, Spring Valley; Hein Lfid 3,468,228 9/1969 Rogers ..355/88X Pearl River, both of NY. I Primary Examiner-Samuel 5. Matthews [73]Asslgneez Agfa-Gevaert Aktiengesellschaft, Lever- Assistant ExaminerRichard M0Se kusen Germany Att0rney-Michael S. Striker [22] Filed: June25, 1970 57 ABSTRACT [2]] Appl. No.: 49,843 1 A photographic copyingapparatus wherein the shutter blade is moved to open position by theframes of color filters when- [301 Foreign Application Pnomy Dam ever afilter pivots in a direction to move out of registry with June 28, 1969Germany ..G 69 30 562.0 the light-admitting opening. The filters arepivoted by rotary electromagnets which are deenergized when therespective fil- [52] U.S.Cl ..355/88, 350/315,:955/36 {erg extend acrossthe path of incoming light, The shutter [51] Int. Clbiade is biased toclosed position and is ivotabie about [he ofSearch 35, 36, 88, 83,common axis ofthe fi]tefg 10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure The presentinvention relates to photographic apparatus in general, and moreparticularly to improvements in photographic copying apparatus. Stillniore particularly, the invention relates to improvements inphotographic copying apparatus of the type wherein carriers ofphotosensitive material are exposed to light which passes through one ormore color filters, especially through color filters which are movableinto and out of the path of printing light by electromagnets.

Presently known photographic copying apparatus comprise two or morecolor filters each of which is movable by a discrete electromagnet, aswell as a shutter whose blade or blades are movable between open andclosed positions by a further electromagnet. The electromagnet for theshutter is in series with several switches, one for each color filter.Each switch is caused to close in response to movement of thecorresponding filter into the path of printing light. Thus, theelectromagnet for the shutter blades can be energized to close theblades only when all of the filters are moved into the path of printinglight.

A drawback of the just described copying apparatus is that they mustemploy a rather complicated and expensive electric circuit with asubstantial number of switches and a separate electromagnet for theshutter blade or blades.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide aphotographic apparatus, particularly a photographic copying apparatusfor the reproduction of color images on photosensitive material, whichis simpler, less expensive and more compact than presently known copyingapparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a copying apparatuswherein the number of electromagnets need not exceed the number offilters.

A further object of the invention is to provide a copying apparatuswherein the shutter blade or blades are movable in a novel and improvedway.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel assembly ofa shutter and color filters which can be installed in presently knownphotographic copying apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel shutter foruse in a photographic copying apparatus.

- The invention is embodied in a photographic apparatus, particularly ina photographic copying apparatus wherein photosensitive material isexposed to printing light passing through a plurality of color filters,which comprises a shutter defining a light-admitting opening andincluding blade means normally assuming a closed position and beingmovable to an open position to thereby permit light to pass through theopening, a plurality of filters each movable between first and secondpositions in which the corresponding filter respectively registers withand is out of registry with the opening, drive means (preferablyincluding a plurality of discrete rotary electromagnets) for moving thefilters between first and second positions, and displacing means formoving the blade means to open position in response to movement of atleast one filter to second position.

The displacing means preferably comprises a projection or an analogousmotion receiving portion provided on the blade means and a motiontransmitting portion provided on each of the filters and arranged tomove the blade means to open position by way of the motion receivingportion in response to movement of the corresponding filter to itssecond position. Each filter may comprise a light-transmitting elementand a frame or holder for the light-transmitting element whereby aportion of each holder constitutes the corresponding motion transmittingportion.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theimproved photographic copying apparatus itself, however, both as to itsconstruction and its mode of operation, together with additionalfeatures and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal ofthe following detailed description of certain specific embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single FIGURE of the drawing is anexploded perspective view of a portion of a photographic copyingapparatus which embodies the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The photographic copyingapparatus of our invention comprises a shutter having a circularplate-like support 1 provided with an eccentric light-admitting opening1a. A centrally located shaft 2 defines a fixed pivot axis for a shutterblade 13 which is mounted behind the support 1 and is movable between aclosed position in which it overlies the opening la and the illustratedopen position in which it is out of registry with the opening. The meansfor permanently biasing the blade 13 to its closed position comprises adisk 14 which is fixed to the blade and has a peripheral surfaceprovided with a circumferential groove 14a for the convolutions of ahelical spring 16. One end of the spring 16 is secured to a post 17which is fixed to the support 1 and the other end of this spring issecured to the disk 14. In the illustrated open position of the shutterblade 13, the spring 16 stores energy and tends to pivot the blade in acounterclockwise direction. The convolutions of the spring 16 areclosely adjacent to each other and the manner in which the spring 16 andthe disk 14 cooperate is not unlike that between a pulley and a cord.

The shaft 2 further serves as a pivot for two filters 103, 104 which aredisposed in parallel planes in front of the support I. The filter 103 islocated in front of the filter 104. These filters respectively comprisedisk-shaped light-transmitting elements 103a, 104a which arerespectively mounted in circular apertures 3b, 4b provided in tworing-shaped frames or holders 3, 4. These holders are respectivelyprovided with registering circular bores or holes 3a, 4a for the shaft2. The'light-transmitting elements 103a, 104a are retained in theholders 3, 4 by means of split rings or like retaining means, not shown.The elements 103a, 104a preferably constitute additive color filters,for example, in the colors blue and yellow. The holders 3, 4 are furtherrespectively formed with slots 30, 40 for pins 5a, 6a which arerespectively provided on thearmatures 5, 6 of two rotary electromagnets7, 8. The electromagnets 8 and 7 are respectively secured to the supportI by means of pins 9, 10 and 1 1, 12 or analogous fasteners. Theseelectromagnets constitute a pair of discrete drive means, one for eachof the filters 103, 104, and they comprise customary springs (not shown)which hold the armatures 5, 6 in such positions that the correspondinglight-transmitting elements 103a, 104a overlie the opening la when theassociated electromagnet is deenergized. Energization of theelectromagnets 7, 8 causes the corresponding filters 103, 104 to movefrom their first positions in which they overlie the opening la to theirsecond positions in which the corresponding light-transmitting elements103a, 104a are out of registry with the light-admitting opening.

The displacing means for moving the shutter blade 13 to open position inresponse to pivotal movement of the filter 103 and/or 104 to secondposition comprises a motion receiving projection or pin 15 which isfixed to the blade 13 and extends forwardly through an arcuate slot 1bin the support 1. The holders 3, 4 constitute the motion transmittingportions of the respective filters and serve to pivot the blade 13 tothe illustrated open position in response to pivotal movement of atleast one of the filters 103, 104 to its second position. The center ofcurvature of the slot 1b is located on the axis of the shaft 2. It willbe noted that the pin 15 extends sufficiently beyond the front side ofthe support 1 to be located in the path of both holders (3 and 4). so asto make sure that the shutter blade 13 pivots in response to pivoting ofthe filter 103 and/or 104 to second position. The pin 15 is preferablysurrounded by a sleeve of elastic material to soften the impact whenstruck by the holder 3 or 4 in response to energization of theelectromagnet 7 or 8.

The marginal portion of the support 1 carries several sockets l8, 19, 20two of which serve to connect the electromagnets 7, 8 with an energysource. The sockets 18-20 are disposed between the rear side of thesupport 1 and a diskshaped cover 22 forming part of a flat housing whichfurther includes a cupped body 21 defining a compartment for theelectromagnets 7, 8 and filters 103, 104. The blade 13 is locatedbetween the support 1 and cover 22. A nut 23 is employed to mate withthe threaded front end portion of the shaft 2 in order to releasablyhold the cupped body 21 in operative position. The housing including thebody 21 and cover 22 can be installed as a unit in many presently knownphotographic color printing or copying apparatus. The body 21 has anaperture 21a in registry with the opening 10. A similar aperture isprovided in the cover 22. The electromagnets 7, 8 are installed in acontrol circuit of known design which determines the timing and durationof energization and hence the intervals during which thelight-transmitting elements 103a, 104a are located in the path ofprinting light.

The operation:

When the copying apparatus is not in use, the electromagnets 7, 8 aredeenergized and the springs of these electromagnets cause the filters103, 104 to maintain their respective light-transmitting elements 103a,104a in the path for the printing light, i.e., in registry with theaperture 21a and pening 10. Therefore, the spring 16 is free to contractand holds the shutter blade 13 in the closed position (in registry withthe opening 1a) whereby the motion receiving pin 15 extends into thelower end portion of the arcuate slot 1b.

If the control circuit produces a signal which causes energization ofthe electromagnet 7, the armature pivots the filter 103 in a clockwisedirection to its second position whereby the holder 3 engages the pinand moves it into the upper end of the slot lb, i.e., the shutter blade13 is caused to assume the illustrated open position. Thelight-transmitting element 104a remains in its first position in whichit extends across the path of printing light. If the control circuit ofthe copying apparatus thereupon furnishes a signal to return the filter103 to its first position and to move the filter 104 clockwise, asviewed in the drawing, the electromagnet 7 is deenergized whereby itsspring pivots the armature 5 counterclockwise so that the holder 3 movesaway from the pin 15. The spring 16 cannot contract because theelectromagnet 8 is energized and the armature 6 pivots in a clockwisedirection so that the holder 4 bears against the pin 15 and maintainsthe shutter blade 13 in open position. Signals furnished by the controlcircuit depend on a predetermined program or on the characteristics ofthe original whose image is to be reproduced on printing paper or thelike.

The shutter blade 13 remains in open position when the control circuitproduces a signal which causes energization of both electromagnets; thepin 15 is then held in the illustrated position by the holders 3 and 4.This will happen if the nature of the copying operation requiresexposure of photosensitive material to printing light which should notpass through one or more color filters, As soon as the electromagnets 7and 8 are deenergized, their springs pivot the armatures 5 and 6 in acounterclockwise direction and the holders 3, 4 permit the spring 16 tocontract and to move the shutter blade 13 into registry with the opening1a.

It is clear that the pin 15 can be employed to transmit motion to two ormore shutter blades as well as that the apparatus may comprise three oreven more filters. At the present time, we prefer to employ ourapparatus in repro cameras of the type wherein the photosensitivematerial is exposed first to light which passes through a first filterand thereupon to light which passes through a second filter.

An important advantage of our apparatus is that its electric circuit issimpler than the circuits of copying apparatus wherein the shutter bladeor blades are moved by a separate electromagnet which is energized onlywhen all of the filters dwell in their operative positions, i.e., inpositions in which they register with the light-admitting opening of theshutter. This brings about savings in initial cost and currentconsumption and reduces the likelihood of malfunction.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featureswhich fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic andspecific aspects of our contribution to the art and, therefore, suchadaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within themeaning and range of equivalence of the claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended 1. In a photographic apparatus, particularlyin a photographic copying apparatus wherein photosensitive material isexposed to printing light passing through a plurality of color filters,a. combination comprising a shutter defining a light-admitting openingand including blade means normally assuming a closed position andmovable to an open position to thereby permit light to pass through saidopening; a plurality of filters each movable independently between firstand second positions in which the corresponding filter respectivelyregisters with and is out of registry with said opening; drive means formoving said filters between first and second positions independently ofeach other; and displacing means for moving said blade means to openposition in response to movement of at least one of said filters tosecond position.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive meanscomprises a discrete electromagnet for each of said filters.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said displacing meanscomprises a motion receiving portion provided on said blade means and amotion transmitting portion provided on each of said filters, each saidmotion transmitting portion being arranged to engage and to displacesaid motion receiving portion in response to movement of the respectivefilter to second position.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive meanscomprises a discrete electromagnet for each of said filters, saidelectromagnets being energizable to thereby move the respective filtersto second positions.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said shutter furthercomprises biasing means for urging said blade means to closed position.

6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said filters include ayellow filter and a blue filter.

7. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a housing forsaid shutter, said filters, said drive means and said displacing means,said housing having apertures in registry with said opening.

8. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a photographic copyingapparatus wherein photosensitive material is exposed to printing lightpassing through a plurality of color filters, a combination comprising ashutter defining a light-admitting opening and including blade meansnormally assuming a closed position and movable to an open position tothereby permit light to pass through said opening; a plurality offilters each movable between first and second positions in which thecorresponding filter respectively registers with and is out of registrywith said opening; drive means for moving said filters between saidfirst and second positions; and displacing means for moving said blademeans to said open position in response to movement of at least one ofsaid filters to said second position, said displacing means comprising amotion receiving pin provided on said blade means and a motiontransmitting portion provided on each of said filters, each said motiontransmitting portion being arranged to engage and to displace saidmotion receiving pin in response to movement of the respective filter tosaid second position, each of said filters comprising alight-transmitting element and a holder for such lighttransmittingelement, said holders constituting said motion transmitting portions.

9. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a photographic copyingapparatus wherein photosensitive material is exposed to printing lightpassing through a plurality of color filters, a combination comprising ashutter defining a light-admitting opening and including blade meansnormally assuming a closed position and pivotable to an open positionabout a predetermined axis to thereby permit light to pass through saidopening; a plurality of filters each pivotable about said predeterminedaxis between first and second positions in which the correspondingfilter respectively registers with and is out of registry with saidopening; drive means for moving said filters between said first andsecond positions; and displacing means for moving said blade means tosaid open position in response to movement of at least one of saidfilters to said second position.

10. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a photographic copyingapparatus wherein photosensitive material is exposed to printing lightpassing through a plurality of color filters, a combination comprising ashutter defining a light-admitting opening and including blade meansnormally assuming a closed position and pivotable to an open positionabout a predetermined axis to thereby permit light to pass through saidopening, and biasing means for urging said blade means to said closedposition, said biasing means comprising a disk fixed to said blade meansand having a peripheral groove and a helical spring having a fixed firstend and a second end secured to said disk, said spring having aplurality of convolutions engaging said disk in said groove and beingarranged to urge said blade means to said closed position; a pluralityof filters each movable between first and second positions in which thecorresponding filter respectively registers with and is out of registrywith said opening; drive means for moving said filters between saidfirst and second positions; and displacing means for moving said blademeans to said open position in response to movement of at least one ofsaid filters to said second position.

1. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in a photographic copyingapparatus wherein photosensitive material is exposed to printing lightpassing through a plurality of color filters, a combination comprising ashutter defining a light-admitting opening and including blade meansnormally assuming a closed position and movable to an open position tothereby permit light to pass through said opening; a plurality offilters each movable independently between first and second positions inwhich the corresponding filter respectively registers with and is out ofregistry with said opening; drive means for moving said filters betweenfirst and second positions independently of each other; and displacingmeans for moving said blade means to open position in response tomovement of at least one of said filters to second position.
 2. Acombination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises adiscrete electromagnet for each of said filters.
 3. A combination asdefined in claim 1, wherein said displacing means comprises a motionreceiving portion provided on said blade means and a motion transmittingportion provided on each of said filters, each said motion transmittingportion being arranged to engage and to displace said motion receivingportion in response to movement of the respective filter to secondposition.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drivemeans comprises a discrete electromagnet for each of said filters, saidelectromagnets being energizabLe to thereby move the respective filtersto second positions.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid shutter further comprises biasing means for urging said blade meansto closed position.
 6. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein saidfilters include a yellow filter and a blue filter.
 7. A combination asdefined in claim 1, further comprising a housing for said shutter, saidfilters, said drive means and said displacing means, said housing havingapertures in registry with said opening.
 8. In a photographic apparatus,particularly in a photographic copying apparatus wherein photosensitivematerial is exposed to printing light passing through a plurality ofcolor filters, a combination comprising a shutter defining alight-admitting opening and including blade means normally assuming aclosed position and movable to an open position to thereby permit lightto pass through said opening; a plurality of filters each movablebetween first and second positions in which the corresponding filterrespectively registers with and is out of registry with said opening;drive means for moving said filters between said first and secondpositions; and displacing means for moving said blade means to said openposition in response to movement of at least one of said filters to saidsecond position, said displacing means comprising a motion receiving pinprovided on said blade means and a motion transmitting portion providedon each of said filters, each said motion transmitting portion beingarranged to engage and to displace said motion receiving pin in responseto movement of the respective filter to said second position, each ofsaid filters comprising a light-transmitting element and a holder forsuch light-transmitting element, said holders constituting said motiontransmitting portions.
 9. In a photographic apparatus, particularly in aphotographic copying apparatus wherein photosensitive material isexposed to printing light passing through a plurality of color filters,a combination comprising a shutter defining a light-admitting openingand including blade means normally assuming a closed position andpivotable to an open position about a predetermined axis to therebypermit light to pass through said opening; a plurality of filters eachpivotable about said predetermined axis between first and secondpositions in which the corresponding filter respectively registers withand is out of registry with said opening; drive means for moving saidfilters between said first and second positions; and displacing meansfor moving said blade means to said open position in response tomovement of at least one of said filters to said second position.
 10. Ina photographic apparatus, particularly in a photographic copyingapparatus wherein photosensitive material is exposed to printing lightpassing through a plurality of color filters, a combination comprising ashutter defining a light-admitting opening and including blade meansnormally assuming a closed position and pivotable to an open positionabout a predetermined axis to thereby permit light to pass through saidopening, and biasing means for urging said blade means to said closedposition, said biasing means comprising a disk fixed to said blade meansand having a peripheral groove and a helical spring having a fixed firstend and a second end secured to said disk, said spring having aplurality of convolutions engaging said disk in said groove and beingarranged to urge said blade means to said closed position; a pluralityof filters each movable between first and second positions in which thecorresponding filter respectively registers with and is out of registrywith said opening; drive means for moving said filters between saidfirst and second positions; and displacing means for moving said blademeans to said open position in response to movement of at least one ofsaid filters to said second position.